The cause and circumstances of the singer’s death were not disclosed. He said goodbye to her on social media Manilow Barswith whom Debra had the opportunity to collaborate in the 1970s.
“This is the saddest day of my life. I cannot come to terms with the fact that Debra is no longer with us. She was one of my closest friends I have ever had. I will miss you,” he wrote.
“It will not be an exaggeration to write that there was no better mentor and vocal coach for the participants in ‘Idol’ than Debra Byrd” – he wrote All Aikenfinalist of the second edition of the talent show, which took second place.
Debra Byrd she was a singer, but also a vocal coach who worked on television for years. The beginning of her career was cooperation with Barry Manilow. He wrote her biggest hit – “Street Singin'”which reached number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.
Byrd had the opportunity to perform on tour with Bob Dylanand Tom Petty and his team Heartbreakers. Moreover, Byrd, as a vocal coach, was supposed to give singing lessons to Dylan between their performances.
The artist was also active in film and theater. Her voice appears, among others, on the soundtrack to the film “The Lion King 2”. Byrd sang backing vocals on the 2018 Oscar-nominated song “Might River” by Mary J. Blige.
However, Byrd was primarily a vocal coach on television shows. Fox hired her on “Idol,” where she worked for 10 seasons. She was also a teacher and consultant on “The Voice”.
In “Idol”, the artist had the opportunity to work, among others, With Kelly Clarkson, Fantasia Barrino and Jennifer Hudson.